Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, warns Europe after the drone crash in Romania that it can expect more similar incidents. “A war is going on. And the citizens of EU states, as the population of the warring countries, will not be able to sleep peacefully,” he says.
Journalist at HLN
Source: ANP
LOOK. Russian drone hits building in Romania
The Russian drone landed on an apartment building in the city of Galati, near the Ukrainian border. Two people were injured and dozens of residents had to be evacuated. Never before has a Russian drone caused casualties on NATO and EU territory.
“Serious escalation”
Romania calls the drone incident a “serious and reckless escalation” by the Kremlin. Western allies have also spoken out in similar terms. NATO boss Mark Rutte assured President Nicușor Dan on Friday that the military alliance will be committed to strengthening drone air defenses in Romania.
According to Dmitry Medvedev, it has yet to be determined exactly which country the drone came from, but European leaders have no right to speak anyway because they would also be a party to the war with Russia. “Let them prepare: this will continue to happen,” the former president said in a statement.
Medvedev, who often makes provocative statements, said that incidents could especially occur “in places where drones are being built for Ukraine.” According to him, these are also used in attacks on Russia.
After the incident, Romania will not use a NATO emergency clause to convene emergency consultations, NATO sources report. The NATO country refrains from using so-called Article 4, which is considered a precursor to the famous protection guarantee of Article 5.
The country did declare the Russian consul persona non grata and closed the consulate. The Kremlin will quickly take countermeasures against Romania, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zacharova said. According to Zacharova, there is “not a shred of evidence” for the “unfounded accusations” that it was a Russian drone.
Not only Romania itself, but also NATO say it has established that it is indeed a Russian aircraft, more specifically a so-called Geran 2 of Russian make. The entire warhead would have exploded.